Welcome to Fisheries and Habitat Conservation
The Fisheries and Habitat Conservation Program is unique within the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in its abilities to apply a dual approach to natural resource management; it focuses on both helping manage species and helping to conserve their habitats. The Program relies on collaboration and joint ventures with State agencies, Tribes, private landowners, industry, other Federal agencies and the public to achieve these conservation goals. In doing so, the Program combines expertise in habitat restoration, contaminant assessment and remediation, genetics, population dynamics and management, fish culture and fish health, fish passage, invasive species management, wetlands, water development and management, wind energy, coastal, instream flow and other disciplines. Fisheries and Habitat Conservation blends these capabilites to provide expert technical assistance to our conservation partners.
 The Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) was enacted in 1972. It prohibits the taking (i.e., hunting, killing, capture, and /or harassment) of marine mammals and enacted a moratorium on the import, export, sale and possession of marine mammal parts and products. However, the MMPA does provide for certain exceptions and authorizations. In addition, an exemption allows Alaskan Natives to hunt marine mammals for subsistence purposes
The MMPA calls for an ecosystem approach to natural resource management and conservation. It recognizes marine mammals as significant functioning elements in their ecosystems and requires that they be maintained at, or returned to, their optimum sustainable populations. Management of marine mammals requires coordination among a variety of interests, including Federal and State agencies, commercial industries, Native Alaskans, and international governments.
All marine mammals are protected under the MMPA, and some are also listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The Fish and Wildlife Service is responsible for the conservation and management of sea and marine otters, polar bears, walruses, manatees, and dugongs under both the MMPA and ESA. The National Marine Fisheries Service has management jurisdiction under these Acts for all whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, and sea lions. The USFWS has jurisdiction for import and export of all marine mammals listed under CITES.
The MMPA also established the Marine Mammal Commission (MMC), an independent government agency, to provide oversight of the marine mammal conservation policies and programs being carried out by the Federal agencies. For information on the MMC, click on their link below.
Fisheries and Habitat Conservation
International Affairs
Marine Mammal Commission
Endangered Species
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Interior Announces Onshore Wind Energy Guidelines
March 23, 2012
The Department of the Interior today released guidelines designed to help wind energy project developers avoid and minimize impacts of onshore wind projects on wildlife and their habitats. The voluntary guidelines, developed by the Fish and Wildlife Service, will help the agency work with developers to shape the smart siting, design and operation of the nation’s growing wind energy economy. Photo Caption: Wind Turbine in California. Credit: Rachel London, USFWS.
News Release
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Land-Based Wind Energy Guidelines Near Completion
January 5, 2012
The Service anticipates the finalization of its voluntary Land-Based Wind Energy Guidelines in early 2012. The Guidelines are designed to provide federal and state agencies, developers, and consultants with a process for planning, operating and monitoring wind energy facilities that minimize impacts to birds, bats and other wildlife. The final Guidelines will incorporate the advice of the Wind Turbine Guidelines Advisory Committee and comments from the public. The Committee included representatives of federal and state agencies, tribes, wind energy development organizations, and wildlife conservation organizations, and was formed to provide the Service with advice and recommendations on its land-based wind energy guidelines. A Notice of Availability will be published in the Federal Register to announce when the Guidelines are finalized. The Guidelines will be implemented on a voluntary basis immediately upon publication. Training on the Guidelines is under development and will be available within six months of publication.
Connecting People With Nature: Ensuring the Future of Conservation
Conservation = Commerce
November 3, 2011
The Service's Fisheries Program, in association with state agencies and other conservation organizations, contributes $3.6 billion to the nation’s economy and supports 68,000 jobs across the country, according to a new report issued today.
News Release
Report Summary
Read the Full Report
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Eddies:
FY2010 Partners Accomplishent Report
FY2010 Coastal Accomplishment Report
